I have 5 hens, one of whom was having watery poo for a bit. I spoke to the chicken lady at Tractor Supply and she said to put them on duromyecin (tetracycline) the yellow powder stuff in their water for 10 days. Did that. On the 3rd day I noticed several others having the same problem. Took a fecal sample to the vet who does exotics and chickens. No parasites but said the tetracycline killed the good bacteria along with the bad. She put them on a probiotic paste called Benebact for 6 days along with something called Ronidazole powder in their water. Did that. A couple days after they finished the 6 day cycle I realized she didn't tell me how long to throw the eggs out. So I called and she told me 28 DAYS! I can't believe I have to throw them out for 28 days!!! This SUCKS!
What the heck is this Ronidazole? Anyone heard of it?
Thanks in advance, you guys are fabulous!
Edited to add the following but it still does not tell me why she put them on this. The fecal float was negative and she also did a gram something or other. She clearly said no parasites. She also said I have to give them filtered water? Huh? I live in the suburbs of Maryland on city water. If I can drink it why can't my chickens?
Anyway... I have no clue what this means...:
RONIDAZOLE
Ronidazole is a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotazoal agent traditionally used in veterinary applications in the prevention and treatment of histomoniasis in turkeys, trichomoniasis in pigeons, genital trichomoniasis in cattle and hemorrhagic enteritis in pigs. It also has found applications in treating tritrichomonas foetus in cats.
HISTOMONIASIS
(From http://www.organicvet.co.uk/Poultryweb/disease/hist/Print.htm)
This is an important condition of outdoor reared poultry, particularly turkeys. The causative agent is the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis, which invades the caecal mucosa and spreads, via blood, to the liver. Lesions occur in the caecum and liver (see www.poultrymed.com/files/Histomonas.html). Clinical signs include anorexia, depression and yellow droppings. Mortality rates may be very high, and reach a peak one week after observations of the first clinical signs.
The most important route of transmission is via the eggs of the caecal nematode Heterakis gallinarum, and also the earthworm. These ensure the safe passage of the delicate parasite and ensure persistence of the infection in soil. The blackhead organism is very susceptible to environmental conditions, but when encased in Heterakis eggs or earthworms it may remain viable for several years (Lund, 1969). Lund (1969) cites observations from the USA, where turkeys acquired blackhead when maintained on chicken yards that had been vacant for two years. It has been demonstrated that histomoniasis can spread rapidly in turkeys, but not chickens, by direct contact, probably involving the phenomenon of cloacal drinking (McDougald, 2005). To be virulent bacteria must be present, notably Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Clostridium spp., (Doll and Franker, 1963; McDougald, 2005).
What the heck is this Ronidazole? Anyone heard of it?
Thanks in advance, you guys are fabulous!
Edited to add the following but it still does not tell me why she put them on this. The fecal float was negative and she also did a gram something or other. She clearly said no parasites. She also said I have to give them filtered water? Huh? I live in the suburbs of Maryland on city water. If I can drink it why can't my chickens?
Anyway... I have no clue what this means...:
RONIDAZOLE
Ronidazole is a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotazoal agent traditionally used in veterinary applications in the prevention and treatment of histomoniasis in turkeys, trichomoniasis in pigeons, genital trichomoniasis in cattle and hemorrhagic enteritis in pigs. It also has found applications in treating tritrichomonas foetus in cats.
HISTOMONIASIS
(From http://www.organicvet.co.uk/Poultryweb/disease/hist/Print.htm)
This is an important condition of outdoor reared poultry, particularly turkeys. The causative agent is the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis, which invades the caecal mucosa and spreads, via blood, to the liver. Lesions occur in the caecum and liver (see www.poultrymed.com/files/Histomonas.html). Clinical signs include anorexia, depression and yellow droppings. Mortality rates may be very high, and reach a peak one week after observations of the first clinical signs.
The most important route of transmission is via the eggs of the caecal nematode Heterakis gallinarum, and also the earthworm. These ensure the safe passage of the delicate parasite and ensure persistence of the infection in soil. The blackhead organism is very susceptible to environmental conditions, but when encased in Heterakis eggs or earthworms it may remain viable for several years (Lund, 1969). Lund (1969) cites observations from the USA, where turkeys acquired blackhead when maintained on chicken yards that had been vacant for two years. It has been demonstrated that histomoniasis can spread rapidly in turkeys, but not chickens, by direct contact, probably involving the phenomenon of cloacal drinking (McDougald, 2005). To be virulent bacteria must be present, notably Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Clostridium spp., (Doll and Franker, 1963; McDougald, 2005).
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